Wilson Center Research Fellowship Program

The Wilson Center Research Fellowship Program is the flagship initiative of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, offering a prestigious opportunity for scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals to engage in policy-relevant, nonpartisan research. The Center serves as the United States' official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson and is committed to bridging the gap between scholarly research and public policy. Since its establishment in 1968 by Congress, the Center has promoted dialogue between academia and policymakers, aiming to bring innovative ideas to address complex global challenges. The fellowship runs from June 1, 2026, to May 30, 2027, and provides fellows with a stipend of $10,000 per month for the 12-month duration. All fellows will work remotely, with travel to Washington, D.C. at the beginning and end of the fellowship paid for by the Center. The primary focus for fellows during this period is the completion of an original research project aligned with the Center’s priorities. These include strategic competition, economic statecraft, technology and innovation, and regional scholarship. The Center encourages projects that demonstrate scholarly rigor, public policy relevance, and nonpartisanship. Fellows are expected to actively contribute to the mission of the Wilson Center by participating in internal events and engaging with Washington's policy community. These engagements may include presentations to policymakers, informal briefings, roundtables with government officials, and public seminars. Fellows are encouraged to produce outputs such as policy reports, op-eds, and short publications that translate academic research into accessible policy insights. The Wilson Center provides institutional support, including access to the Library of Congress and area research institutions. To apply, candidates must submit their applications online by 11:59 p.m. ET on January 16, 2026. Applicants from academia must hold a Ph.D. and have published a book or monograph beyond their dissertation. Non-academic applicants must have at least 10 years of professional experience with demonstrable impact, such as policy influence, leadership, or publications. All applicants must be proficient in English. Institutional affiliation is not required, and previous Wilson Center fellows may apply again, though prior awards may factor into the evaluation. The selection process involves a multi-stage review by internal Wilson Center experts and external reviewers, culminating in final approval by the Center’s Board of Trustees. Evaluation criteria include the significance and originality of the proposed project, its relevance to current policy issues, clarity and coherence of the proposal, and the applicant's demonstrated capacity to complete the work. Projects should aim to contribute meaningfully to pressing foreign policy challenges and foster connections across academic disciplines and policy domains. Applicants must propose a project that results in scholarly output such as a book manuscript, long-form article series, or policy briefings. Ineligible projects include revisions of dissertations, artistic works, editing of existing texts, textbook preparation, and memoirs. Fellows are required to participate in Work in Progress presentations and contribute to the Center’s intellectual community throughout their term. The fellowship is designed to cultivate innovative research that can influence both policy and scholarly communities on issues vital to the United States and the world.

Projects should bridge scholarship and policy, avoid partisanship, and align with at least one of the four Wilson Center pillars.